“Isn’t it?” His voice is sharp now. “I should have fought harder. I should have—”
“Stop.”
My voice cuts through the room.
Grant goes still.
I step closer, voice low but fierce.
“You are fighting now.”
Grant’s breath shudders.
He’s right. But the guilt at not pre-empting this and squashing it sooner is still there.
I cup his jaw, making him look at me.
“Grant, Olivia is going to know—someday, somehow—that you fought like hell for her. And you’re still fighting. So stop acting like you’ve already lost.”
Grant stares at me.
And then, the anger drains just a little.
“You’re right.”
I watch as Grant rolls his shoulders, exhaling slowly.
The weight on him is crushing.
And while I can help him hold it up, I can’t do it alone.
We need backup.
I grab my phone, scrolling through my contacts.
“Who are you calling?” Grant asks, voice still gravelly from frustration.
“Allie,” I say simply.
Grant lifts a brow.
I hold up a hand.
“We need people who know Olivia. Who have seen you with her. Who can testify as to what kind of father you are.”
Grant drags a hand down his face.
“I hate bringing people into this.”
My eyes soften.
“They want to be in this. And we need every advantage we can get.”
The phone rings twice before Allie picks up.
“Kenz?”
I sink onto the couch.